Abstract:

Introduction: Early
diagnosis of cervical cancer results in successful treatment. Visual Inspection
with acetic Acid and Cervicography (VIAC) is an effective method of cervical
cancer screening being used in Zimbabwe. In Kadoma screening started in 2014,
2506 clients had been screened in July 2015. Factors associated with VIAC
positivity were determined since VIAC positivity was low, 3%.

Materials and methods: An
analytical cross sectional study based on secondary dataset analysis was
conducted in 2015. All the 2506 clients were included. The data was exported
from an electronic database into Epi Info 7TM (CDC. 2014). Frequencies and
means were generated using this software. Bivariate analysis and multilogistic
regression were also performed.

Results: Among
the clients who were screened, 81% were married. The median age was 39.7 years
(Q1 =31; Q3=47). The median number of children was two (Q1 =2; Q3 =4). Early
sexual debut, <16 years (POR=2.37(1.47-3.83), p value<0.05), being single
(POR=1.92(1.21-3.12), p value=0.005), being HIV positive (POR=3.87(2.40-6.23),
p< 0.05), history of STI (POR=1.83(1.05-3.15), p=0.03),
(POR=2.79(1.17-6.65), p value=0.015) were significant risk factors. The
significant protective factor was having one sexual partner
(POR=0.45(0.29-0.70), p value<0.05). The independent risk factor was being
HIV positive (aOR=4.16(2.56-6.77), p value <0.05). The independent
protective factors were delaying sexual debut, aOR=0.53 (0.32-0.87), p value
=0.012 and regular condom use aOR=0.28 (0.086-0.92), p value=0.036.

Conclusion: VIAC
should be routine care for the HIV positive. Efforts should be intensified to
promote delaying sexual debut and prevent STIs.